The 36th Annual San Diego Scottish Highland Games &
Gathering of the Clans is happening on
June 26th
& 27th, 2010
Big Blend Radio Interviews
Kay Hamilton was
a featured guest on Way, Back When radio show on June 14
discuss the history Scottish Dance as performed at San
Diego Scottish Highland Games. To listen to her
interview please
click here.
Larry Dean was a featured guest on Way, Back When radio
show on June 12 to discuss Scottish athletics as
performed at the San Diego Scottish Highland Games. To
listen to his interview, please
click here.
Scottish Heavy
Athletics:
Whenever you here about Scottish Games, it is usually
about the athletic events that were held over a 1000
years ago, when Celtic warriors displayed their bravery
and strengths by performing various feats of skill and
power in front of their opponents. The San Diego
Scottish Games features competitions in Caber Toss,
Weight Throw, Weight Toss, and Hammer Throw.
Highland
Dancing: Dance is a
crucial part of celebrations and ceremonies of the
Highlands. Watch Highland Dancing Competitions featuring
traditional and national dances like the Highland Fling,
The Ghillie Callum (Sword Dance), The Reel of Tulloch,
Flora MacDonald's Fancy, The Scottish Lilt, and the
Sailor's Hornpipe.
Drum Major, Bagpipe & Drumming Competitions:
The pipes and drums are
arguably the most popular attraction at Highland games.
The skirl of pipes and swirl of kilts, majestic drum
majors and pageantry of massed bands abound. In addition
to competitions the San Diego Scottish Highland Games
offer opportunities for "playing for critique" and
one-on-one instruction from some of the finest pipers in
the world. Competitors of all ages are an important part
of their Games.
Sheep Dog Trials:
The sheep dog trials are one
of the most popular events to watch at Scottish Highland
Games. Watch as herding dogs move sheep around a field,
through fences, gates, as directed by their handlers.
Sheep Dog Trials began in the US in 1890.
Gathering
of the Clans: The word 'clan;
was the name given to a group of kinsmen united under a
chief and claiming common ancestry. Around the 13th
century, the clans of Scotland came into prominence, and
their records have been carefully preserved - enabling
Scots to trace their ancestors to that period. Visit the
various Clan tents and booths to find out about their
clan heritage - or possibly your Scottish roots!
Scottish Country Dancing: Enjoy
demonstrations of Scottish Country dancing -
the traditional social dancing of Scotland. Not to be
confused with the more athletic Highland dancing,
country dances are performed in "sets" of three or more
couples by folks of all ages and backgrounds. It is
closely related to American square dancing and contra
dancing. A variety of steps and patterns from simple to
challenging, make this a dance for all levels of
dancers.
Scottish Food, Drink & Merchandise: Get
a taste of Scotland! Visit our food court for authentic
Scottish Cuisine like Fish & Chips, Scotch Eggs, Sausage
Rolls and Meat Pies. Have a rollicking good time in the
beer garden with live entertainment, stouts and ales,
wine and sodas. From Kilts to Celtic Crafts, there is a
whole field area dedicated to vendors offering quality
imports and merchandise form the Isles.
Live Entertainment:
Enjoy the music of Scotland with popular bands and
entertainers including the Wicked Tinkers, Highland Way,
Men of Worth, Molly's Revenge, Browne Sisters & George
Cavanaugh, Blackwaterside, and Jamie Laval & Ashley
Broder.
Fun for the Kids:
There's all kind of fun for
the kids with a host children's activities. The Kid' Athletic
Games gives them the chance to try their hands at
traditional Scottish athletic events such as tossing
cabers (made from cardboard); and the traditional Story
Telling will entertain them with tales about imps,
giants and more from Scotland, Ireland and England.
Other fun activities include face painting and castle
building, and the Vista Masonic Lodge will have a booth
offering the Child Identification Program.
Kirkin' (Blessing) o' the Tartans: Held
on Sunday, the Kirkin' o' the Tartans is a traditional
Scottish religious service, which been part of the San
Diego Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans
for many years. The story of the Kirkin' o' the Tartan
is a modern one. "Kirk" is a Scottish word meaning
church and in Scotland the kirk refers to the Church of
Scotland (Presbyterian). The display of the tartans at a
kirkin' represents the Scottish clans.
Tickets: Save money and by
your tickets early!
Big Blend Radio Interviews
Kay Hamilton was
a featured guest on Way, Back When radio show on June 14
discuss the history Scottish Dance as performed at San
Diego Scottish Highland Games. To listen to her
interview please
click here.
Larry Dean was a featured guest on Way, Back When radio
show on June 12 to discuss Scottish athletics as
performed at the San Diego Scottish Highland Games. To
listen to his interview, please
click here.
